Overseas Internships & Work Experience

If you’ve ever asked yourself “How can I get work experience overseas?” our international internships are the answer! We help you learn from experienced local professionals in developing countries and boost your career development.

This is what you can expect on one of our work placements abroad:

Gain first-hand practical knowledge in your field to help your future career
Learn by doing with an experiential education overseas experience
Hone essential soft skills like communication and organisation

We’re here to help you find overseas internships that match your requirements and level of experience as closely as possible. We offer a wide variety of long- and short-term internships abroad, perfect for students and those interested in international working holidays. It’s also possible to do semester-long internships abroad with us.

Whether you’re looking to learn more about human rights practices on the ground, or you want to get work experience shadowing doctors in a hospital, we’ll help you select the perfect internship abroad programme.

Options for Work Experience Internships

View specific types of internships using the links below:

A volunteer working abroad with children spends time building blocks with a child to improve early childhood development.

Working with Children Abroad

Volunteer abroad to support children in developing countries

Interns examine a boy during a health screening outreach on one of our medical placements abroad.

Medical Internship Programmes Abroad

Get first-hand medical experience interning in disadvantaged communities.

Dozens of baby sea turtles make their way to the sea after being released by Projects Abroad international conservation volunteers.

Wildlife and Environmental Conservation Abroad

Work on marine, rainforest, wildlife, or environmental conservation around the world

Students at a school in Africa listen to a talk about basic rights given by a student doing a Human Rights internship abroad.

Law and Human Rights Internships Abroad

Learn about legal services, human rights, and social justice in challenging environments

A Senegalese beneficiary discusses his business with a student doing a Micro-finance internship abroad.

Micro-finance Internships Abroad

Help people realise their potential by setting up new businesses through interest-free micro loans

International Business Internships

Gain business skills while experiencing life overseas

Journalism Internships Abroad

Work on a newspaper, magazine, radio, or TV show on an overseas placement

An intern works with a horse on one of our Animal Care internships abroad.

Veterinary Medicine and Animal Care Internships Abroad

Put your passion for animals to practical use in the developing world

A local social worker discusses an ongoing case with a student doing her Social Work internship abroad.

Social Work Internships Abroad

Work with local professionals to bring support to disadvantaged communities

International Development Internships Abroad

Learn about practical solutions to the challenges faced by disadvantaged communities

Conservation volunteers working together abroad

Volunteer Abroad

Help make a difference in local communities and learn new skills. Get involved in Childcare, Wildlife Conservation, and more

A volunteer looking at beaded jewellery during a Projects Abroad cultural exchange programme abroad.

Cultural Exchange Programmes Overseas

Join a cultural exchange programme overseas and experience a different way of life

Why do international internships?

There are numerous benefits for internships abroad. You can:

Equip yourself with new knowledge and skills
Get field work experience in your chosen area
Decide whether a specific career is really for you
Build an international network by working with a diverse group of local professionals and interns

Another advantage of internships in foreign countries is that you’ll improve valuable skills like communication and planning.

If an internship isn’t quite what you're looking for, then take a look at these projects:

Electives (for students of Medicine, Physiotherapy, Nursing, and more)
Volunteer Overseas Projects (where you can work in areas like Conservation and Teaching)

Projects Abroad interns edit a spreadsheet as part of their international internship programme in Tanzania.

How can I get an internship overseas?

Our overseas internships are open to people from all backgrounds who are at least 16 years old. They’re particularly valuable if you’re:

About to join university
A student interested in work shadowing placements
Looking to gain work experience abroad as a graduate

You’ll gain practical work experience and skills that will help set you apart for future employers or university admission panels.

Requirements vary depending on the internship you choose, but for most projects, you can join without any specific qualifications or expertise. You'll work alongside experienced professionals and you'll be guided every step of the way if you need it.

Throughout your project, you’ll be supervised by our friendly local staff. They’ll be available 24/7 to support and guide you through the work you do.

If you’re worried about how much you can really gain from an internship when you’re going in with little experience, read our blog about going abroad with no experience.

Winter Break Internships Abroad

If you’re planning on getting overseas work experience during winter to give your CV an extra edge, our projects are a great fit. They run throughout the year and have flexible dates, so you can do winter internships abroad with us any point over June, July, or August.

This is a popular time of year to intern abroad, especially for high school graduates and university students from around the world. We recommend applying early to make sure you get a spot on the placement of your choice. This is especially important if you’re applying for a trip with fixed dates, as those fill up quickly!

We can also organise summer placements if you’re interested in becoming an international intern over December, January, and February.